King Faisal University Recognized as an ‘Innovation District’ by the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation

King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa has earned new international recognition after the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) announced its admission as a member under the “Innovation Districts” category, making it one of the first Saudi universities to be classified in this tier of the IASP’s membership.

 King Faisal University President Prof. Adel bin Mohammed Abu Zanada stressed that the support and care provided to Saudi universities by the education, research, and innovation ecosystem have contributed to notable achievements that strengthened their regional and international presence.

 He indicated that this classification came as a result of cooperation with the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA), in line with the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance the Kingdom’s position on the global innovation map.

 He also pointed out that the university’s achievements in research and innovation—including ranking first worldwide in patents granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in 2024, and a 350 percent growth in its research output over the past five years—support its strategic direction toward strengthening research and innovation.

 The IASP is a global network of more than 350 members across around 80 countries. It grants memberships in several categories, including “Business Incubator,” “Science Parks,” “Innovation Districts,” and “Areas of Innovation.”